By Parveen Chopra
New York: Happy Life Yoga founder Tirlok Malik hosted an interactive session on June 22 to celebrate the International Day of Yoga 2024. The event included elements from his workshop and speaker comments sharing their happiness mantras.
Malik, the Emmy-nominated filmmaker, emphasized loving yourself. He said, “If you love yourself, it is your responsibility to take care of your happiness and health.” He conducted practical exercises and chair yoga, peppered with calls for laughter.
Over 50 participants logged in for the online event from New York, and other parts of the world.
Consul General of India in New York, Amb. Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, in his video address, underlined that yoga is a holistic body-mind-spirit system. GOPIO - Manhattan, The Indian Panorama, and Indian American Forum were event partners.
In his 4th year leading the IDY event, Malik asked the speakers to address the question: “There are challenges and hardships in life, but how do you let them go and laugh at life?” Give me your personal mantra, he asked them.
Indu Jaiswal, Chairperson of the Indian American Forum, shared her mantra: “Always have a positive outlook and believe in yourself.”
Prof. Indrajit S. Saluja, Editor-Publisher of The Indian Panorama, said that happiness lies within you.
Tara Shajan, a medical professional, suggested we should revisit our happy memories, particularly from childhood, and try to lower our happiness threshold.
Neeta Bhasin, founder of Times Square Diwali, shared that she has learned to prioritize her own happiness.
Neha Lohia, a filmmaker and spiritual enthusiast, said that we should take whatever happens to us as ‘prasad’ from God.
Parveen Chopra, founder of wellness and spirituality webmag ALotusInTheMud.com, pointed to the Patanjali sutra, ‘Heyam dukham anagatam’ to avert the danger that has not yet come. Do regular exercise, yoga and meditation, he said, to avoid poor physical and mental health later in life.
Lal Motwani, GOPIO International President, said, “Never say you are old, never say you are poor or ask for help.”
‘Vegan ambassador’ Anil Narang said since turning vegetarian some years ago, he has never fallen sick or needed medicines
TV personality Dr Renee Mehra said you cannot control the events, but you can control your reaction to them. She also conducted a short meditation.
Shivender Sofat, GOPIO Manhattan President, said the message shared in the session should be shared with others.
Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman of GOPIO, talked about the objectives of the global organization.
Tirlok Malik has conducted over 100 Happy Life Yoga workshops over four years. He created this workshop (no mats needed!) inspired by Ayurveda, yoga, and
Indian philosophy as a practical way to live a happier and healthier life in today’s
testing times.
